Breaking the Ice Failed

"Sophia, do you know? I have regretted it ever since you left," Azshara said gently, holding her daughter.

"Actually, I have too, Mother. You know how much I wish our family of three could be together every day. You know Father is a very good man." Sophia touched her mother's face, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Little one, there are some things you don't understand yet," Azshara said with a desolate expression.

"I have grown up; I can even help Father handle state affairs now."

"Oh? That impressive. Tell me, what are you capable of?"

"Queen Azshara, I bring the friendship of Prince Azar and his personal letter." Sophia mimicked the mannerisms of a diplomat perfectly and bowed to Azshara.

"Hahaha, that's interesting. Vashj, bring the Princess some Rose Dew." After speaking, she formally took the letter from Sophia's hand and began to read it seriously.

"What kind of problem has this bull run into? To think he is actually willing to bow his head this time?"

"Eldre'Thalas is too far from the Well of Eternity to enjoy the radiance of arcane magic, so Father hopes to establish a massive energy supply network and extraction equipment to satisfy Eldre'Thalas's need for arcane power. Of course, the people of the capital can share in the convenience these facilities bring."

"Are there no other requirements?"

"None. If Your Majesty the Queen has any conditions, you may propose them. Within the scope of my authority, I can make the decision without needing to ask for instructions."

"I have one small request: I want his Quel'Serrar."

"...Why is this? Mother, I don't understand."

"Silly child, it is just right. The secrets between your father and me cannot be told to you. Go ask him if he agrees."

Thanks to Azar's demanding requirements for transportation, the construction team arrived in Zin-Azshari a month later and immediately began the construction of the Arcane Energy Purification Device. Along with them arrived one of the Prince's personal swords, "Quel'Delar." Eldre'Thalas had a high demand for magical energy; early in their research into the arcane, they discovered a trace of evil energy permeating it, so they spent a long time developing a separation method. The result was that the negative emotions of the mages in the Feralas faction were significantly lower than those of the mages in Zin-Azshari. This proposal was put forward by Azar with the goal of minimizing the chance of the Elf population contracting Mana Addiction. He consistently believed that the Well of Eternity had been polluted by the evil thoughts of the Old Gods, leading to the subsequent series of problems, even if he didn't know if his method would work.

One month later. The Queen's bedchamber. Azshara was fiddling with Quel'Delar. Ever since this sword came into her hands, it had become her personal blade. She cherished it dearly, refusing to let anyone touch it, and would play with it in her hands whenever she was idle.

"Your Majesty, what is so good about this sword? You asked for Quel'Serrar, yet they sent Quel'Delar. This is a great disrespect. You should issue a decree to reprimand them."

"What do you know? He gave me Quel'Delar, and that is exactly right. You have never been married; you don't understand." Azshara did not mind the disrespect in Vashj's tone, remaining immersed in the emotions of the past, her face full of sweetness. She knew her husband must have understood her meaning. It seemed he still had her in his heart; otherwise, how could he remember the habits she had when she threw a little tantrum?

Three months later, still in the Queen's bedchamber. "Mother, I have to go back."

"So soon?" Azshara said, feeling somewhat reluctant.

"Yes, the first energy transmission pipeline is about to be joined, and Father is waiting for me there."

"But child, I cannot bear to see you leave." Azshara gently stroked her daughter's hair, speaking softly. At this moment, she was not a Queen; she was just an ordinary mother.

"I cannot bear to leave you either. Why don't you come with me! At such an important moment, Her Majesty the Queen and His Highness the Prince should both be present!"

"Is this appropriate?" It was clear that the Queen was also very tempted by this suggestion.

"It is appropriate, it is! There is no time more appropriate than this. I beg you, please go..." Seeing an opportunity, Sophia unleashed her pestering tactics.

"Well then, alright."

This was the first major project of cooperation between the two regions, and both sides attached great importance to it, but the simultaneous presence of the Prince and the Queen far exceeded everyone's expectations. Consequently, the entire celebration scene became somewhat chaotic as everyone scrambled to raise the level of festivities. The people were actually quite simple; seeing their beloved Prince and Queen appear together was a momentous event. However, for the high-ranking officials on both sides, it was a different story. Many were wondering: what is this performance? Does it mean they are reconciling? Of course, the happiest of all was Princess Sophia. The instigator of the whole affair was walking happily, holding her mother's hand in one and her father's in the other. The other two parties simply allowed their child to lead them around; this was what she deserved. She had waited for this moment throughout her entire childhood, and both of them felt a sense of debt toward their child at this moment.

In a cluster of scattered rocks, the guards had already moved far away, leaving the space to this family of three. The two sat opposite each other on the ground, while Sophia ran around her parents happily, occasionally lying on her father's back to make a face at her mother, or affectionately clinging to her mother's arms while sneaking glances at her father.

"Are you doing well?" The woman broke the silence first.

"It's alright. And you? Managing a large kingdom cannot be an easy task."

"You know that this is not a difficult task for me. Of course, it would be even better if you could help me."

"..."

"It has been so many years; can you not forgive me?"

"..."

"What exactly are you thinking? Can you not tell me?"

"...Some things, I cannot explain clearly for the moment. Take care of yourself. Sophia, it is time for us to go." After speaking, he took Sophia's hand and walked back.

"Actually, you have already forgiven Mother, haven't you?" On the way back, Sophia whispered to the heavy-hearted Azar.

"So much time has passed; it doesn't matter whether I forgive her or not."

"Then why aren't you together? Is it because she is a Queen?"

"Status is not actually a problem for us. Personality is our greatest obstacle. Perhaps this is the best outcome."

On the other side, Azshara answered Vashj's question with the same answer. Perhaps it was because they were too similar, understood each other too well, and thought too much alike that it became an obstacle to being together.

Regardless, the energy problem of Eldre'Thalas was temporarily alleviated. Subsequent energy pipelines would continue to be built, which was also an important project to stimulate domestic demand and ease relations. As someone from Earth, Azar knew that the lifeblood of energy must be kept in his own hands, so his ultimate follow-up plan was also ready to begin. That is—the New Well of Eternity Project!